Expansion joint for building works

ABSTRACT

Described is an expansion joint ( 1 ) for building works comprising: a first and a second fastening flap ( 2, 3 ) rigidly connectable to corresponding structural elements ( 4, 5 ) and elongated in a longitudinal direction; an elastic connector ( 7 ) connected to the fastening flaps ( 2, 3 ) and interposed there for filling a space ( 6 ) between the structural elements ( 4, 5 ), and for allowing a relative movement of them; at least one profile ( 8 ) hooked to one of the fastening flaps ( 2, 3 ) from the side opposite the elastic connector ( 7 ), the profile ( 8 ) forming a channel elongated in the longitudinal direction; at least one illuminating element ( 9 ) positioned inside the channel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application relates to and claims priority from Italian Ser. No.BO2012S000508 filed on Sep. 21, 2012, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

FIG. 2

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an expansion joint for building works.More specifically, the invention relates to an expansion joint forbuilding works, designed for being inserted inside spaces (gaps) formedinside horizontal or vertical structural closing elements (formingfloors or ceilings or walls).

2. Description of the Related Art

The expansion joints in the structures are detachment points inserted atpredetermined distances (normally every 30 m) in relation to the type ofmaterial, for following the expansions and contractions which thematerials undergo following seasonal heat variation phenomena.

The purpose of the expansion joint is to allow the maximum movementcaused by the heat variations, settlement of some parts of the buildingor between building bodies built at different periods in time.

Various types of expansion joints are available on the market,classified according to their use in the vertical or horizontalstructures or according to the types of material.

In general, an expansion joint for building works comprises:

a first and a second fastening flap rigidly connected to correspondingstructural elements and elongated in a longitudinal direction;

an elastic connector connected to the fastening flaps and interposedthere for filling (at least partially) the space (or gap) between thestructural elements, so as to allow a relative movement of them.

The joints require quite complex processing and, with regard to theexpansion joints applied to floors, are mounted on an existing screed oron a load-bearing structure at the time it was made.

However, a limitation of these joints is that they do not have furtherfunctions, other than the above-mentioned structural function.

Moreover, these joints, on view, constitute a discontinuity which, incertain contexts, penalizes the appearance of the element (floor,ceiling or wall) in which they are inserted.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved expansion joint forbuilding works

ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of this invention is to provide an expansion joint for buildingworks that overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide amulti-purpose expansion joint which is aesthetically very pleasing.

These aims are fully achieved by the expansion joint according to theinvention as characterized in the appended claims.

More specifically, the expansion joint according to this inventioncomprises (integrated therein) a channel forming a luminous groove.

More specifically, the expansion joint comprises at least one profilefastened (i.e. firmly connected, hooked) to one of the fastening flapsfrom the side opposite the elastic connector, the profile forming achannel elongated in the longitudinal direction, and at least oneilluminating element positioned inside the channel.

The expansion joint also comprises two profiles forming luminousgrooves, each hooked to a corresponding fastening flap, and positionedparallel to each other, from the opposite sides to the elasticconnector.

It should be noted that this invention also provides a method formounting an expansion joint.

The method comprises the following steps:

rigidly connecting a first and second fastening flap to a correspondingfirst and second structural element separated by a space, the fasteningflaps and the space being elongated in a longitudinal direction;

interconnecting the fastening flaps by an elastic connector interposedin the space to allow a relative movement of the structural elements;

fastening (i.e. firmly connecting, or hooking) to at least one of thefastening flaps, from the side opposite the elastic connector, a profileforming a channel elongated in the longitudinal direction and containingan illuminating element.

Moreover, this invention provides an illuminating body for buildingworks, comprising a profile elongated in a longitudinal direction,having a bottom wall and two side walls and forming a channel, and atleast one illuminating element positioned inside the channel.

According to the invention, one of the side walls of the profile in theilluminating body comprises coupling means, for fixing the profile to afastening flap of an expansion joint designed to connect two structuralelements, the profile being connectable to the expansion joint outsidethe space.

The illuminating body has the advantage that it can be mounted quicklyand easily, without the need for any specific processing and without theneed to make catches or other housings in the structural element inwhich the luminous groove is to be made.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section of the expansion joint according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the joint of FIG. 1 mounted in a floor.

FIG. 3 illustrates the joint of FIG. 2 in an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention.Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts orsteps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale.The word ‘couple’ and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct andimmediate connections, but also include connections through intermediateelements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only,directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms maybe used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directionalterms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It willalso be understood that other embodiments may be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention, and that the detaileddescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elementsmay be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appendedclaims without requirements of the written description being requiredthereto.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations inturn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments ofthe present invention; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings denotes an expansion jointaccording to this invention.

The joint 1 comprises a first fastening flap 2 and a second fasteningflap 3.

The fastening flaps 2, 3 are elongated in a longitudinal direction.

The first fastening flap 2 is designed for being rigidly connected to afirst structural element 4; the second fastening flap 3 is designed forbeing rigidly connected to a second structural element 5.

The structural elements 4 and 5 constitute two portions of a structuralelement (more specifically, a horizontal or vertical structural closingelement, that is, a floor or a ceiling or a wall) interrupted along alongitudinal direction.

This interruption forms a space 6 (that is, a gap) between the first andsecond structural elements 4, 5.

It should be noted that the space or gap is, in turn, elongated alongthe longitudinal direction.

The numeral 7 denotes an elastic connector connected to the fasteningflaps 2, 3.

The elastic connector 7 is interposed between the fastening flaps 2, 3to allow a relative movement of the structural elements 4, 5 or tocompensate any volumetric variations of them.

Moreover, the function of the elastic connector 7 is to partially fillthe space 6 (gap), forming a substantially continuous outer surface, toconnect the two structural elements 4, 5 in their area of interruption.

In the example illustrated, the elastic connector 7 comprises twocoupled connecting elements for sliding one (male) inside the other(female).

However, the elastic connector 7 comprises a layer of elastic material(for example, an elastomer) suitably shaped (according to knowntechnology in the expansion joints sector), or any other prior artconfiguration in the expansion joints sector.

According to the invention, the expansion joint 1 also comprises atleast one profile 8 hooked (fixed) to the fastening flaps 2, 3.

The profile 8 is coupled to the fastening flap 2 or 3 outside the space6.

For this reason, the profile 8 is coupled to the fastening flap 2 or 3from the side opposite the elastic connector 7; in effect, preferably,at least one portion of the fastening flap 2 or 3 is interposed betweenthe elastic connector 7 and the profile 8.

The profile 8 forms a channel elongated in the longitudinal directionand houses at least one illuminating element 9 positioned inside thechannel.

For this reason, the joint 1 forms a luminous groove elongated along thelongitudinal direction; the luminous groove runs parallel to the elasticconnector 7 and is positioned alongside it.

It should be noted that the joint 1 also comprises two profiles 8, eachforming a relative luminous groove and connected to a correspondingfastening flap; consequently, the two profiles 8 are positioned onopposite sides to the elastic connector 7.

Preferably, the joint 1 comprises a plurality of illuminating elements9, preferably consisting of LEDs.

Alternatively, the illuminating element 9 could comprise a neon oranother light source.

Preferably, the joint 1 comprises a base 10, resting on a bottom wall 11of the profile; the illuminating bodies 9 are rested on the base 10.

The fastening flaps 2, 3 are connected to the elastic connector 7 insuch a way as to form a flat, planar surface, flush with an outersurface of the structural elements 4, 5.

If the structural elements 4, 5 are part of a floor, the flat outersurface is treadable.

Preferably, each of the fastening flaps 2, 3 has a separator 12 forminga surface 13 which, when the joint 1 is mounted, is positioned flushwith the outer surface of the structural elements 4, 5 and of theelastic connector 7.

According to the invention, the profile 8 is connected to the fasteningflap 2 or 3 in such a way as to form a flat surface flush with the flatsurface of the flaps (if the structural elements 4, 5 are part of afloor, the flat outer surface of the profile 8 is treadable).

Preferably, the joint 1 comprises a transparent covering element 14(that is, designed to let the light pass) connected to the profile 8 toclose it above (that is, to close an opening opposite the bottom wall11).

It should be noted that, in addition to the bottom wall 11, the profile8 has two side walls 15, for forming the open channel.

The joint 8 is connected to the respective fastening flap in such a waythat the opening of the channel faces the outside of the structuralelements 4, 5.

The covering element 14 is coupled to the profile 8 for closing theopening, in such a way as to form an outer surface positioned flush withthe outer surface of the structural elements 4, 5 (and with the outersurfaces 13 of the fastening flaps 2, 3 and with the outer surface ofthe elastic connector 7).

Preferably, the profile 8 has two undercuts 16 forming a housingpositioned close to the opening facing towards the outside (that is, anupper opening, if the joint is coupled to a floor) of the profile 8.

The housing is shaped to receive the covering element 14.

The covering element 14 is preferably made from plastic material (forexample, Plexiglas).

Preferably, the covering element 14 has inclined side walls in such away as to give the covering element a trapezoidal cross-section.

Moreover, preferably, the side walls of the covering element formrespective recesses. Preferably, in addition or alternatively, the endsof the side walls 15 of the profile 8 (the ends forming the housing)define respective recesses.

The tapered shape of the covering element 14 facilitates the mounting ofthe covering element 14 on the profile 8.

The presence of the recesses facilitates the fixing of the coveringelement 14 on the profile 8, allowing the introduction of silicon orother fixing fluids in the gaps formed by the recesses, interposedbetween the side walls of the covering element 14 and the ends of theside walls 15 of the profile 8.

Preferably, one of the side walls 15 of the profile 8 and acorresponding side wall of the respective fastening flap are near to oneanother.

Preferably, the side wall 15 of the profile 8 and the corresponding sidewall of the respective fastening flap near to one another are shaped tomatch one another to form a fitting.

Preferably, the side wall 15 of the profile 8 has a protrusion 17elongated longitudinally; preferably, a side wall of the fastening flapforms a corresponding longitudinal groove 18.

The protrusion 17 of the profile 8 and the groove 18 of the fasteningflap are shaped in such a way that the protrusion 17 is inserted in thegroove 18, when the profile 8 is hooked to the fastening flap.

This coupling has certain advantages.

First of all, it gives mechanical strength to the profile 8; this isespecially important when the joint 1 is used in a floor, which iswalked or driven on (by persons or vehicles, such as automobiles ortrolleys); in effect, this solution allows the profile 8 to be driven onby heavy vehicles (for example, trolleys or automobiles).

Another advantage of this clip coupling is that the profile can beslidably hooked to the fastening flap, allowing an adjustment of thelongitudinal position of the profile 8 relative to the fastening flap,before a final fixing of the profile 8 to the fastening flap.

With regard to the fastening flaps 2, 3, they preferably have the shapedescribed below.

Preferably, each of the fastening flaps 2, 3 has an L-shapedcross-section (and it is substantially a profile).

More specifically, each of the fastening flaps 2, 3 has a first side 19(long) and a second side 20 (short); the first and the second sides arepreferably perpendicular to each other.

The first side 19 (long) can be anchored to the structural element 4, 5,to be positioned parallel to a surface formed by the structural element;this anchoring is obtained, for example, by screws 21.

The second side 20 (short) has an end connected to the elastic connector7.

Preferably, the profile 8 is hooked to the second side 20 (short) of therelative fastening flap 2 or 3.

It should be noted that the second side 20 of the fastening flap has twofaces:

a first face faces towards the other fastening flap, that is, towardsthe empty space 6 (gap) between the structural elements 4, 5 anddelimits a portion of the space 6;

a second face faces in the opposite direction, that is, towards the sideopposite the gap.

The profile 8 is connected to the second face.

Preferably, an outer surface of one of the side walls 15 of the profile8 is in contact with a corresponding surface (of the second face) of thesecond side 20 of the fastening flap 2 or 3.

Preferably, the joint 1 comprises adhesive fixing means interposedbetween the side wall 15 of the profile 8 and a corresponding side wallof the fastening flap, defined by the second side 20.

More specifically, the adhesive fixing means are interposed between theouter surface of the side wall 15 of the profile 8 and the correspondingsurface (of the second face) of the second side 19 of the fastening flap2 or 3.

It should be noted that this invention also provides an illuminatingbody 22 for building works.

The illuminating body 22 for building works comprises:

the profile 8;

the at least one illuminating element 9 positioned inside the channelformed by the profile.

The features of the illuminating body 22 are those described above;consequently, the illuminating body 22 is designed for being permanently(and rigidly) connected to one of the fastening flaps 2, 3 of theexpansion joint 1.

For this reason, one of the side walls 15 of the profile 8 comprisescoupling means for fixing the profile to a fastening flap 2, 3 of theexpansion joint 1 (designed to connect the structural elements 4, 5).

The illuminating body 22 is shaped in such a way that the profile 8 canbe connected to the fastening flap 2, 3 outside the space 6 (gap).

Preferably, the at least one side wall 15 has the protrusion 17elongated longitudinally, slidably insertable in the correspondinglongitudinal groove 18 of one of the side walls 15 of the fastening flap2 or 3.

Moreover, the illuminating body 22 comprises the transparent coveringelement 14 inserted in a housing formed by the profile 8 close to anopening (upper).

This invention also provides a method for mounting an expansion joint 1for building works.

The joint 1 is mounted to make an elastic joint between two structuralelements 4, 5 of a building structure (for example, a floor or ceilingor wall) interrupted and separated by a space 6 elongatedlongitudinally.

If these structural elements 4, 5 form part of a floor, the structuralelements 4, 5 comprise a support structure 23, on which a layer ofbedding mortar is formed (that is, a screed 24 also known as “concretetopping”).

A floor finishing layer 25 is laid above the screed 24.

In light of this, the method for mounting the expansion joint 1comprises the following steps:

rigidly connecting the first fastening flap 2 and a second fasteningflap 3 to the first structural element 4 and to the second structuralelement 5, respectively;

interconnecting the fastening flaps 2, 3 by an elastic connector 7positioned in the space 6 separating the structural elements 4, 5, toallow a relative movement of the structural elements;

hooking to at least one of the fastening flaps 2, 3, from the sideopposite the elastic connector 7, a profile 8 forming a channelelongated in the longitudinal direction and containing an illuminatingelement 9 (making a luminous grove elongated longitudinally parallel tothe elastic connector 7).

Preferably, the hooking comprises a fitting of portions shaped to matchof a side wall 15 of the profile 8 and a corresponding side wall of thefastening flap (as described above).

Preferably, there is also a step of gluing two corresponding faces ofthe profile 8 and a corresponding side wall of the fastening flap.

In the embodiment illustrated, the bottom wall 11 of the profile isdistanced from the first side 19 (long) of the corresponding fasteningflap 2 or 3.

In light of this, the method preferably comprises a step for filling thespace between the bottom wall 11 of the profile 8 and the first side 19(long) of the fastening flap 2 or 3 with epoxy resin (or another fillermaterial designed to give structural strength to the profile 8, forallowing heavy loads to transit on the profile 8 without damaging thejoint 1.

For this reason, there is a step for filling with epoxy resin a definedarea between the profile 8 and a wall of the fastening flap 2 or 3positioned transversely to another wall of the fastening flap 2 or 3,the other wall being hooked to the profile 8.

In an alternative embodiment, the bottom wall 11 of the profile 8 is incontact with (that is, it rests on) the first side 19 (long) of thecorresponding fastening flap 2 or 3, either directly or by means of asupporting leg.

Preferably, between the profile 8 and the finishing layer 25 inserts 26made of sealing material (for example, silicon), having elasticproperties, are inserted; to protect the profile and the finishing layer25.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it willbe apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to thoseprecise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations canbe made in the presently disclosed system without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentdisclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosureprovided they come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An expansion joint (1) for building works,comprising: a first and a second fastening flap (2, 3) rigidlyconnectable to corresponding structural elements (4, 5) and elongated ina longitudinal direction; an elastic connector (7) connected to thefastening flaps (2, 3) and interposed there for filling a space (6)between the structural elements (4, 5), and for allowing a relativemovement therebetween; at least one profile (8) fastened to one of thefastening flaps (2, 3) from the side opposite the elastic connector (7),the profile (8) forming a channel elongated in the longitudinaldirection; and at least one illuminating element (9) positioned insidethe channel.
 2. The expansion joint according to claim 1, wherein: thefastening flaps (2, 3) and the elastic connector (7) form a flatsurface; the at least one profile (8) forms a flat surface flush withthe flat surface of the flaps (2, 3) and of the connector (7).
 3. Theexpansion joint according to claim 1, further comprising: a transparentcovering element (14) connected to the at least one profile (8) to closeit above.
 4. The expansion joint according to claim 3, wherein: theprofile (8) has two undercuts (16) forming a housing positioned close toan upper opening of the profile (8) and shaped to receive the coveringelement (14).
 5. The expansion joint according to claim 1, wherein: aside wall (15) of the at least one profile (8) and a corresponding sidewall of the fastening flap (2, 3) are near to one another and shaped tomatch for forming a fitting.
 6. The expansion joint according to claim5, wherein: the side wall (15) of the at least one profile (8) has aprotrusion (17) elongated longitudinally, inserted in a correspondinglongitudinal groove (18) of the side wall (15) of the fastening flap (2,3).
 7. The expansion joint according to claim 1, wherein: each of thefastening flaps (2, 3) is a profile with an L-shaped cross-sectionhaving: a long side (19) which can be anchored to the structural element(4, 5), to be positioned parallel to an outer surface formed by thestructural element; and a second side (20) having an end connected tothe elastic connector (7) and hooked to the profile (8).
 8. Theexpansion joint according to claim 1, further comprising: adhesivefixing means interposed between a side wall (15) of the at least oneprofile (8) and a corresponding side wall of the fastening flap (2 or3).
 9. An illuminating body (22) for building works, comprising: aprofile (8) elongated in a longitudinal direction, having a bottom wall(11) and two side walls (15) and forming a channel; at least oneilluminating element (9) positioned inside the channel, wherein one ofthe side walls (15) of the profile (8) comprises coupling means forfixing the profile (8) to a fastening flap (2 or 3) of an expansionjoint designed to connect two structural elements (4, 5) separated by aspace (6), the profile (8) being connectable to the expansion jointoutside the space (6).
 10. The illuminating body according to claim 9,wherein: at least one side wall (15) has a protrusion (17) elongatedlongitudinally, slidably insertable in a corresponding longitudinalgroove (18) of a side wall of the fastening flap (2, 3).
 11. Theilluminating body according to claim 9, further comprising: atransparent covering element (14) inserted in a housing formed by aprofile (8) close to an upper opening, by means of two undercuts (16)inside the profile (8).
 12. A method for mounting an expansion joint (1)for building works, comprising the steps of: rigidly connecting a firstand second fastening flap (2, 3) to a corresponding first and secondstructural element (4, 5) separated by a space (6), the fastening flaps(2, 3) and the space being (6) elongated in a longitudinal direction;interconnecting the fastening flaps (2, 3) by an elastic connector (7)interposed and positioned in the space (6) to allow a relative movementof the structural elements (4, 5); and fastening to at least one of thefastening flaps (2, 3), from the side opposite the elastic connector(7), a profile (8) forming a channel elongated in the longitudinaldirection and containing at least one illuminating element (9).
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein: the fastening comprises a fittingof portions shaped to match of a side wall (15) of the profile (8) and acorresponding side wall of the fastening flap (2, 3).
 14. The methodaccording to claim 12, further comprising: a step for filling with epoxyresin a defined area between the profile (8) and a wall (19) of thefastening flap (2 or 3) positioned transversely to another wall (20) ofthe fastening flap (2 or 3) hooked to the profile (8).